BARBARA SCHACHTEL-GREEN
1921-2017
Barbara Schachtel-Green was married for 49 years to one of Houston’s most beloved and well-known rabbis, the late eminent Hyman Judah Schachtel, chief Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel from 1943 until 1975. She met the love of her life when she was only 17 and the two were married after her sophomore year at Wellesley College until her husband’s death in 1990. They had two children, Bard, a psychotherapist in Dallas and Ann Schachtel-Wobbe, a television producer in Houston.
In 1969 she was appointed to serve on the Board of Managers of the Harris County Hospital District. She was the only female on the board serving for the next 22 years eventually becoming the Chairwoman of the Board. The Hospital District was her special project and a big part of her life.
Barbara was a psychological examiner at Texas Children’s Hospital from 1967 to 1981 during which time she earned her doctorate at the University of Texas school of Public Health in Houston. She then worked at the Institute of Preventive Medicine at Methodist Hospital until 1993.
She held a deep humanitarian interest in healthcare for the indigent. She said, “It was exciting to be involved with the doings of our County Hospital and clinics. I felt it was an opportunity to give something back to my beloved city, a way of ‘getting it’ and ‘giving it’ at the same time.”
One of her favorite projects at the Hospital District was the one that provided books to every child who came to Ben Taub emergency center. She said, “It could be the key to wanting to learn to read or reading for pleasure for these youngsters, most of whom have no books of their own.”
Barbara is listed in “Who’s Who in America” honoring her work in the Hospital District and her enormous involvement in volunteer activities. In addition, Barbara’s name has been published in “Who’s Who in the South and Southwest”, “Who’s Who in the World” and “Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare”. She has been married to her 2nd husband, Dr. Louis Green, since 1995.
When asked what kept her so active she replied, “My general philosophy in life is always to stay involved in your community.”
She is survived by her husband Louis Green, her son, Bard Schachtel and his wife Dinah, her daughter Ann Schachtel and her husband Paul Wobbe, her grandson Andrew Schachtel and his wife Vanessa and her great grandchildren Adyn and Adysn.
The family has enormous gratitude toward her caregivers, Geraldine Butler of Compassion Care and her wonderfully devoted staff: Janelle, Renee, Cynthia, Barbara and Nikki who all treated Barbara with respect and deep love.
Memorial service will be held at Noon on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at Congregation Beth Israel with a reception to follow in the Wolff-Toomim Hall, 5600 N. Braeswood, Houston.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast online or by phone at 713-831-6592
Finally, she was of great, dry wit. She also made a mean brisket and the best egg salad sandwiches in town.